Obviously, much of the specifics are fiction, but many of the things floating like 'mouches volantes' are grounded in facts. I found this a fantastic (often literally FANTASTIC) way of examining the period and systems of science and religion and politics during this period. How about just one more volume? That said, I did read all of the diaries of Samuel Pepys, so I am a glutton for the English Restoration period. Reading Stephenson, some days, does feel a bit like a 'peine forte et dure'. It might.might have been one volume too much. The System of the World These are all essentially prequels to: Cryptonomicon. It is weird thinking that these three volumes: 1. Anyway, I enjoyed how Stephenson wrapped this up. There are other events: the spiriting away of Solomon's gold, the escape of Jack's sons and Dappa (the First mate of the Minerva who ends up caught in a funky antislavery campaign against Charles White (one of the many villians of the book), the death of Roger Comstock (and other deaths ane ressurrections). Second, the Trial of the Pyx (and by proxy, a trial of Sir Isaac Newton). This final book in an eight book series is driven largely by two large and parallel events (the corronation of King George is a mere distraction).

The eighth and final book of this series, which also shares the same name as the final volume of this series: (The System of the World).

Neal stephenson system of the world